HOMA BAY — On a day marked by new roads, fresh promises, and a rare show of political unity, President William Ruto made a pointed appeal to the nation: steer clear of divisive, tribal-driven politics.
Speaking on Thursday during a whirlwind development tour of Kisumu and Homa Bay counties, Ruto warned Kenyans not to be swayed by what he called “angry politics.”
“Some leaders are driven by rage and hate. That path won’t help us build this country,” the President told the press at Kirembe Grounds in Kisumu. “We’ve agreed with others in leadership that it’s time to stop the politics of division and focus on unity and development.”
Joining him was former Prime Minister Raila Odinga long seen as a political rival—alongside Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Cabinet Secretaries, and several MPs. The presence of Odinga was particularly notable, signaling a moment of political détente in a region that has historically leaned toward the opposition.
Odinga lent his support to the government’s Affordable Housing Programme, describing it as a “critical national development initiative.”
“Housing is not a luxury; it’s a right. We need to support programmes that give people dignity,” he told reporters.
Ruto was in Kisumu to break ground for the Lake Victoria Marina Housing Project and launch multiple infrastructure and social development projects. Among them was the expansion of the Makasembo Estate and the commissioning of 2,300 new housing units by LAPFUND. The President also visited the Lumumba Estate, where over 2,300 more units are under construction.
In Homa Bay, the President launched the 40-kilometre Marindi-Oria road, opened a new technical training institute in Ndhiwa, and kicked off an electricity rollout expected to connect more than 25,000 households.
“These projects are about more than bricks and roads. They’re about dignity, opportunity, and the promise of a better future,” he said.
While the President pushed forward his development agenda, he also delivered a pointed critique of his detractors.
“There are those who keep shouting slogans, making noise, and criticising everything,” he said. “But that’s all they do. No ideas, no plan, no vision.”
Yet the speech wasn’t all political. Ruto announced several policy directions aimed at reviving the local economy. Among them was a new leasing programme for struggling sugar companies in Nyanza. The goal, he said, is to stabilise the industry and ensure that farmers and workers are paid promptly.
“By the end of this year, we’ll pay bonuses to sugarcane farmers,” the President said.
He also cited a KSh1.5 billion investment to modernise fish landing sites along Lake Victoria and improve fish processing, calling it a major boost for the region’s blue economy.
“We want Lake Victoria to be a source of jobs, food, and trade. This is how we grow the economy from the grassroots,” he noted.
In one of the day’s more ambitious announcements, Ruto said the Standard Gauge Railway would be extended from Naivasha to Malaba via Kisumu, a move likely to ease transport and bolster trade in western Kenya.
Officials from the Transport Ministry confirmed that feasibility studies were underway and that the project would aim to link up with regional trade corridors.
Despite the ceremonial fanfare, the President remained focused on delivering a message of unity. “Let’s not go back to politics that divide us by ethnicity or anger,” he said. “We have to build this country together.”
The rare moment of bipartisan cooperation did not go unnoticed by local leaders and citizens alike, some of whom expressed cautious optimism.
“We may not always agree politically,” said Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, “but development should never be a partisan issue. Our people need roads, jobs, and power not empty talk.”
As the President’s motorcade moved through dusty roads and ribbon-cutting ceremonies, it was clear that Ruto is banking on bricks, mortar, and jobs to win over regions long sceptical of his leadership.
Whether that gamble pays off remains to be seen. But on this day, at least, the message was clear: development first, politics second.
